Cool songs that will go over well at karaoke

Dragon NightSEKAI NO OWARI

SEKAI NO OWARI – Dragon Night

SEKAI NO OWARI, who are hugely popular among young people.

Among their songs, Dragon Night has a bright, upbeat, and pop vibe that really gets people going at karaoke—as you’ll notice if you try singing it yourself.

The lyrics also seem to raise questions about issues in our world, so it doesn’t create an awkward atmosphere when you sing it.

COLORSFLOW

FLOW “COLORS” Music Video (MBS/TBS Network Anime “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion” First Cour Opening Theme)

I think FLOW is also famous for having twin vocals with lots of harmonies.

They do a lot of anime songs—are there any you all know? In this song, COLORS, KEIGO basically sings the main melody and KOHSHI sings the harmony parts.

From the B-melody they sing in unison an octave apart, then from the chorus there’s a lower harmony—going back and forth like that feels great to sing and really makes the song build up! This applies to any song, but if the lower harmony ends up louder than the main vocal, the balance gets thrown off and it sounds odd, so I recommend singing lightly with the image of supporting the lead.

It’s one of FLOW’s staple tracks, so definitely give it a try!

Ooochie KoochieOoochie Koochie

Ooochie Koochie 「GOLD」Music Video

Ooochie Koochie is a unit formed by Koji Kikkawa and Tamio Okuda.

Their teaming up—two rock musicians who defined an era—drew major attention when they first formed.

Among their songs, the one I especially recommend for men with low voices is GOLD.

It’s not that the song has a particularly narrow range, but because the low register vocals are mixed to be quite loud, it’s a perfect track for bringing out the appeal of a deep voice.

HeavenRei

Rei – “Heaven” (Official Music Video)

Rei, who combines exceptional skill as a guitarist with talent as a singer-songwriter, is carving out a unique place for herself.

Released in August 2024, “Heaven” is a brand-new killer tune where blistering, freewheeling guitar work—complete with tapping—coexists in perfect balance with an earworm of a catchy melody and a danceable groove.

When singing it at karaoke and the like, don’t rely on the sense of the chords; instead, listen closely to the bass and drum rhythms, and try singing with a different image in mind than the typical J-pop-style division between vocals and accompaniment.

rock starAdo

[Ado] Rockstar

Ado, who rose to prominence in her teens as a masked singer who never shows her bare face, has been taking the scene by storm with unstoppable momentum since her major-label debut in 2020.

Her unforgettable voice is supported by overwhelming power and a wide expressive range; both her forceful shouts and her falsetto carry a distinctive allure.

In April 2025, she released a track that clearly reflects the influence of Ringo Sheena, whom she has said she respects.

Featured on her first best-of album, “Ado no Best Album,” the song “Rockstar” fully showcases Ado’s aggressive side, built around a hard rock sound befitting its straightforward title.

While the song’s structure is relatively simple hard rock and the melody line isn’t overly complex, delivering it from Ado’s growling lows to her lustrous, powerful falsetto seems extremely challenging.

If you don’t keep your vocal folds firmly closed and master diaphragmatic breathing before attempting the shouts, you’ll quickly strain your throat—so be careful on that front.

MermaidYuka

YU-KA – Mermaid (Official Music Video)

In 2024, singer-songwriter Yuka—who is active globally beyond Japan, including a performance at the renowned American music festival SXSW Music Festival 2024—continues to expand her reach.

Having spent part of her childhood abroad and being bilingual, she creates music that effortlessly transcends the boundaries between Western and Japanese pop.

The song featured here, “Mermaid,” is exactly that kind of track.

Its minimal production, languid, wistful melody line, and distinctive word choices set it apart from typical J-pop.

If you can sing a song like this smoothly at karaoke, there’s no doubt people will think you’re good.

Because the song unfolds without major shifts, be sure to listen closely to the original and practice so you can add variation with your vocals and avoid sounding too monotonous.

false faceyama

yama “False Face” Music Video (3rd ALBUM “awake & build”)

Yama is an unconventional musician known for blue hair and a signature mask, keeping their identity private.

Their singing voice pairs a soft tone with a striking presence, leaving a lasting impression, and their vocal prowess is recognized both in and outside Japan.

Yama’s 2024 release “Nisegao” is a standout track: over a cool, Y2K-tinged production crafted by Matt Cab, Yama’s expressive vocals and melody really shine.

The overall pitch is quite high, so if that’s challenging, consider lowering the key and aim to sing in a way that stays close to the original without sounding flat or monotone.